Nightmare (a Dream smp/ Passerine Fanfic)

Chapter 1

 One. Tommy took an arrow from his quiver. Two. He loaded his bow and raised it steadily. Three. Tommy flashed back to the scene where Wilbur was correcting his bow stance. Shoulders steady but relaxed! Lower your bow, we're not aiming for the stars right now! Tommy had a small desire to laugh as he thought of his old ignorant self back when he was twelve. Correcting his aim, Tommy prepared for the next step. Four. Pull back the string perfectly. Five. Fire! The arrow sailed through the air and stabbed itself through the deer's heart. A clean kill! Tommy cheered to himself as he dashed to the deer's spot. Inspecting the deer more closely, Tommy noticed it wasn't full grown, as it's antlers were smaller than usual deers. Whatever. It would still be an amazing kill to show Wilbur.

 Tommy merrily walked through town, holding up the deer without effort the whole way. He could hear the townspeople murmuring with praise as they watched the young prince show off the deer. That boy is one fine hunter, Tommy could hear. He was glowing with pride as he finally reached the castle. Wilbur was waiting for him at the entrance to the main hall. Tommy grinned as Wilbur's eyes lit up in surprise as Tommy showed him the deer. Wilbur being Wilbur, tried to shut down his praise into more of a simple comment. But even he was struggling, especially with the clean shot practically shining out to him. "Not... bad." he said at once. Tommy burst out laughing and laid the deer on the side table. When Father had seen how enlightened Wilbur and Tommy were toward hunting, and how good they were at it, he set up a large table in the main hall for fresh kill. Tommy sighed. Father would never see it though. Philza was always working away in the King's Study, a large library reserved for the king's duties. Tommy hardly saw his father anymore except for glimpses of him leaving the castle and small breaks for tea. twelve-year-old Tommy would have demanded more time with his father, but Tommy was more wise now at fourteen. Even though Wilbur still called him a child, Tommy had grown more than anyone in the kingdom expected him to.

 Tommy suddenly looked up, remembering something. "Where's Techno?" Techno was short for Technoblade, their oldest brother's army nickname. Tommy promised Techno he would follow him to battle training after his hunting session. Tommy also knew Techno hated when anyone was late.

 Wilbur groaned. "Call him Dave for goodness sake."

 Tommy snorted. "Technoblade makes him sound badass. Also you know he hates the name Dave. Too simple, he says. Where is he anyway?"

 "I saw him pissed off at the front of the castle with the butler waiting in the carriage. He left shortly after. Must've gotten annoyed you hadn't finished with your session." Philza stepped out of the afternoon shadows into the streaming light.

 "Dad!" Tommy screeched, shocked.

"Father!" Wilbur alarmingly yelled.

Philza grinned as his sons rushed to his side. "Good day, boys."

"Dad, Dad! Come look at my amazing shot!" Tommy turned to the side and presented the deer. Philza smiled and inspected it in approval.

"Well done!" Tommy smiled.

"Father, you never exit your studies at this time. Is something wrong?" Wilbur asked suspiciously.

"Well that's my son. Always jumping to the worst conclusions." They all laughed. "Well Wilbur, I'm actually here to collect you."

"Me?" Wilbur said in surprise.

"Wilbur?" Tommy responded. "Why?"

"That's business I have to talk with Wilbur, Tommy." Tommy sighed indignantly.

"Okayy dad. But what do I do now that Techno has already left?" Tommy asked.

 Wilbur laughed. "It's obvious Tommy! Are you such a child you need a carriage to go everywhere? We have plenty of horses you can ride to the army camp! Don't tell me you forgot how to ride already!"

Tommy's face flushed with embarrassment, as he barely remembered their horse riding session with Techno. "Whatever, whatever. I'll go. Have fun, Wilby."

 Wilbur scowled as he watched Tommy leave. But the new situation dawned on him. His father wanted to collect him! But why?

"Wilbur. What do you dream about?" Philza asked suddenly after Tommy left.

 "I- whu?" It was a very sudden and strange question. "Well, well- hunting. And stories. Lots of stories like the books I read-"

"What are those stories?" Philza questioned further.

 "Uh, well, most of them are quite... dark. They always seem to have the same villain, a mythical... god. An embodiment of evil. The stories always end up with the villain winning. Why do- why do you want to know?"

 Philza looked up. "Follow me Wilbur." Wilbur jumped up and followed his father without hesitation. Philza led his son through many hallways, to a locked door. The sign read above it: DO NOT ENTER. UNFINISHED INSTALLATIONS. UNSAFE. Philza didn't bother reading the sign, and fingered his cloak for a key. Wilbur stared at the sign, extremely confused where his father was leading him. Philza swiftly unlocked the door, and opened it to a narrow hallway.

"Father, where are we going? Is this area safe?" Wilbur asked cautiously.

 "This area is the safest place I know." Philza replied to the second question. He didn't answer the other.

 Wilbur saw light at the end of the dark passage, and without waiting for his father, eagerly ran toward it. Philza opened his wide wings and used them to propel himself next to his son. Wilbur's jaw dropped as he saw where the light was coming from.

"Welcome." Philza said. "To the Godstone."